2017 E X C LUSI V E T O COR N E Y & BA R R OW IN T H E U K, SI N G A P OR E & T H A IL A N D
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Lodovico Antinori
LODOVICO 2017 Bibbona, in coastal Tuscany’s Upper Maremma, is the home of Vigna Lodovico. The Tenuta di Biserno estate was established in 2007. Lodovico is its top wine and a superlative example of Cabernet Franc. Vigna Lodovico. A single plot of six hectares, discovered in 1995 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, who originally intended it as part of Ornellaia. It soon became apparent that these hilly, rocky slopes had a personality of their own, capable of making something unique. Lodovico Antinori. The creator of Ornellaia and Masseto, scion of the Tuscan winemaking dynasty. Following the sale of Ornellaia in 2002, Lodovico, together with his brother Marchese Piero Antinori, founded this new estate. It is a personal project, very personal in fact, dedicated to the next generation, Lodovico’s daughter Sofia. Cabernet Franc. The great wines built around Cabernet Franc are an exclusive club. When this grape is given full rein to express itself, it can excel, as here. As Masseto is to Merlot, so is Lodovico to Cabernet Franc…
GUY SEDDON September 2021
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THE VINEYARD: VIGNA LODOVICO “We have long known that certain parcels are perfectly suited to the cultivation of Cabernet Franc, but we only relatively recently discovered one special area, Vigna Lodovico, which yields remarkable results.” LODOVICO ANTINORI Among coastal Tuscany’s vinous secrets are its cool nights and startlingly intense light. Summer days are picture postcard perfect, white light reflecting off an azure sea, whilst nights can be crisp and refreshing. Vigna Lodovico’s soils are a mix of clay and the mineralrich ‘Bolgheri conglomerate’. Cabernet Franc here has more in common with the right bank of Bordeaux than the Loire, although its aromatic delicacy evokes shades of both. Vigna Lodovico was planted in 2002, at a density of 6,500 vines per hectare. The vines are pruned to form spur cordons, trained on trellises. Grass between the rows restricts the vines’ natural vigour.
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THE CELLAR Grapes are selected on a vibrating sorting table, then de-stemmed and gently crushed. Fermentation takes place at 28˚C in stainless steel tanks, following which 80% of the wine undergoes malolactic conversion in oak barrels, the remainder in stainless steel. Lodovico is aged for 16 months in 80% new French oak barriques, 20% one year old. It is bottled and released after a further 12 months.
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Sofia and Lodovico Antinori
THE GROWING SEASON 2017 was a warm, dry year in Bibbona. Following a winter of low rainfall, the season continued dry through to early September. Aside from the natural concentration brought about by drought and heat, the progress of the grapes was unimpeded. While the first Merlots of the Biserno estate were harvested from 18th August (2-3 weeks earlier than usual), the later-ripening Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot benefitted from rain on 10th September. This was described by Lodovico Antinori as “the boost needed to complete the ripening process.” Picking finished on 26th September.
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TASTING NOTE LODOVICO 2017 Cabernet Franc, with sprinklings of Petit Verdot and Merlot. Shimmering ruby colour. A brooding nose of cassis, raspberry, bitter chocolate, espresso and fine pepper. The palate is full bodied on the attack, the decadently rich fruit refreshed by lively acidity. Flinty minerality and grippy, yet very fine tannins add granular definition to the long finish. More than a passing resemblance to high class right bank Bordeaux in this gorgeous wine. 14.5% abv. Corney & Barrow Score 18.5 Recommended drinking from 2024 - 2039 £985/Case of 3 bottles, in bond UK
Tasting Guide Our tasting notes provide full details but, at your request, we have also introduced a clear and simple marking system. We hope these guidelines assist you in your selection. For the benefit of simplicity, wines are scored out of 20. We will often use a range of scores (e.g. 16.5 to 17) to indicate the potential to achieve a higher mark. When a ‘+’ is shown it adds further to that potential. Wines from lesser vintages will, inevitably, show a lower overall score. Wines are judged, in a very broad sense, against their peers. Why? Well, you cannot easily compare a Ford with an Aston Martin, other than they are both cars and have wheels. It is not that different with wine. A score is a summary only. The devil is in the detail, so please focus on the tasting notes and, as always, speak to our sales team.
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